Anti-Müllerian Hormone in Female Reproduction

• Published in: Endocrine reviews Vol. 42; no. 6; pp. 753 - 782
• Main Authors: di Clemente, Nathalie, Racine, Chrystèle, Pierre, Alice, Taieb, Joëlle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 01-12-2021; Endocrine Society
• Subjects: Anti-Mullerian Hormone - metabolism; Bone morphogenetic proteins; Estrogens; Female; Folliculogenesis; Gonadotropin; Gonadotropins; Granulosa Cells; Hormones, Sex; Humans; Life Sciences; Neuroendocrine system; Ovaries; Pathogenesis; Peptide Hormones - metabolism; Pituitary (anterior); Polycystic ovary syndrome; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - metabolism; Reproduction; Reproductive organs; Reproductive status; Stein-Leventhal syndrome; France; anti-Müllerian hormone receptor; Müllerian inhibiting substance; anti-Müllerian hormone; regulation; roles; polycystic ovary syndrome; POLYCYSTIC-OVARY-SYNDROME; GREATER-THAN-G; MESSENGER-RIBONUCLEIC-ACID; ANTIMULLERIAN HORMONE; II RECEPTOR; BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEINS; INHIBITING SUBSTANCE; GENE-EXPRESSION; FOLLICLE-STIMULATING-HORMONE; GRANULOSA-CELL TUMORS
• ISSN: 0163-769X; 1945-7189
• DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnab012

Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), also called Müllerian inhibiting substance, was shown to be synthesized by the ovary in the 1980s. This article reviews the main findings of the past 20 years on the regulation of the expression of AMH and its specific receptor AMHR2 by granulosa cells, the mechanism of action of AMH, the different roles it plays in the reproductive organs, its clinical utility, and its involvement in the principal pathological conditions affecting women. The findings in respect of regulation tell us that AMH and AMHR2 expression is mainly regulated by bone morphogenetic proteins, gonadotropins, and estrogens. It has now been established that AMH regulates the different steps of folliculogenesis and that it has neuroendocrine effects. On the other hand, the importance of serum AMH as a reliable marker of ovarian reserve and as a useful tool in the prediction of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and primary ovarian failure has also been acknowledged. Last but not least, a large body of evidence points to the involvement of AMH in the pathogenesis of PCOS.
Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract